9 Months Down

Nine months 2 years ago referrals were arriving, now we are just in the beginning stages with a potential outlook of years :(. At least we are half way through December 2005 and October 2006 is out of the review room. Progress is happening at a very slow pace. Many family's did get wonderful Christmas gifts by getting their referrals this month. Let hope for the best in the up coming new year for referrals at least 15 day batches I do recall CCAI stating this.

Christmas is almost here!!!!!

What a busy season we have had parties, performances, get togethers, and more parties. Evey year I think I love Christmas more and more especially now with Maddie and Audrey in our lives. This will be the first Christmas we have both of the girls and we are so excited. Steve surprised us with a 5 day trip to go snow tubing in the mountains after Christmas and the girls can't wait to go. I am thrilled to just get away and have a break from the hustle and bustle. I will not be sledding this year due to my injuries from the accident I am having surgery after the first of the year :(

I can't believe in a week from now we will be having our family Christmas at home! We have some fun traditions:
Everyone decorates the main tree
The girls each get their own 4ft tree in their room
No presents out till all kids are in bed except for the gift you get to open on Christmas Eve
Everyone has cool PJ's but dad he wears sweats
Christmas dinner is Ham with all the sides
Up early on Christmas morning 6:00 am
Traditional breakfast is cinnamon rolls and country breakfast

Better to Give than Receive

This is not a new tradition in our family but one that we have started to teach Maddie as well as Audrey. This year I took Maddie to the Salvation Army Tree at the mall and we talked about the children who do not get Christmas unless families donate toy's and clothes to them. I let Maddie pick the name and age of the child and then she helped me do all the shopping and wrapping. Every night Maddie prays for this little girl Niyah. She talks about her all the time. I believe as she grows this will be a valuable lesson and tradition. Audrey also received a name from the tree and she is doing the shopping the wrapping and using her allowance money fill the wishes of her child.

Eight Months Log in

We'll another month and only a handful of referral but we are in December now what a great holiday gift for all those families! That is the bright side maybe it will only take 3 to 4 months to get through. A girl can wish. It's the holidays time so days will pass by quickly so the time between referral will seem shorter. It is hard to believe we have been logged in for eight months. By this time in 2005 the wait was over we had traveled and were home with Maddie and to think we are not even halfway through the wait. We talked the other night that Audrey will be ready to go to college just about the time she comes home if we do not get a SN referral. WOW!!!!

What are you thankful for……

This time of year is my favorite time of year, you see families and friends together and the holiday spirits bring out the best in most people. I am so thankful for my family, dear friends, our church and most of all the wonderful life God as given me.

Our holiday season is starting off as a very busy one Maddie had a Thanksgiving Day program at her school and the kids did a fantastic job they all were so cute. I capture some great pictures till my camera went dead and dad had the video camera on his hunting trip in Tennessee with the guys. Well, Maddie has 4 more holiday performances and we will make sure everything is charged and ready to go. She is our little star! Thanksgiving we are going to have a full house my family is coming and yes “I” am going to do the cooking. Stop laughing for those of you who know me I have started dabbling in the kitchen and I am ready for this feast. I have had help learning the art of cooking. We are having the full spread including pies.

Pumpkin Patch

Our girls!!! It is Pumpkin time and Maddie wanted to yet get another pumpkin. Everytime we went into a store she wanted to get a one we already had one from Publix and Walmart but that was not enough we needed need one from the patch. She and Audrey picked out baby pumkins to go with the 2 big pumkins we had at the house and now Maddie said we have a pumpkin family.

Anniversary Celebration

This year we decided to spend our anniversary together as a family. Out of the mouth of babes.. Maddie was so excited she was going to a wedding for her mom and dad. We explained to her the difference between a wedding and an anniversary. She was very sad that she missed our wedding. We told her that first you get married then you have babies. After that really long discussion we went to dinner she told the waiter we were having a wedding tonight and then we were going to get a baby from China. Well you can only imagine his confused look. Steve and I just laughed. That night we showed her wedding and honeymoon pictures and boy that sure stuck up another discussion we did not get a vacation after the wedding dinner.

The night turned out to be the best we laughed and told great stories and Maddie thinks she went to a so called wedding.

Referrals Have Arrived

Yes once again it is that time :) CCAA has match from 12/01/2005 through 12/8/2005. We are improving. Not to a great scenario but it is what we would call a mild improvement. I think everyone was hoping for 15 days at least so we could hope for a 3 1/2 to 4 year wait. Each referral period it just confirms what I have said from the beginning that the wait would be 3 years, but it may be as much as 4. One can always be hopeful for sooner :)

Steve and I have had many long discussions and praying on what our medical check list form will contain and when we will meet with the SWI regarding our options. We currently are trying to pursue a domestic adoption of an older child if this should work out there has to be a 6 months difference in dates which at this rate does not seem to be an issue because everything relating to time with the China adoption is taking sooooooooo long. My hearts desires is to someday adopt again but older, so the sooner these adopts can be completed we can think of persuing another older child.

Weekend Getaway

We were needing a getaway there has been so much going on and there has been little time for rest and I am still very sore and tired from the accident. My girlfriend Lucy and her family invited us to join them at their beach Condo in Blue Mountain near Destin for a long weekend. We were thrilled Maddie loves to play with their older daughter Bing Bing. Her family ( mom, dad, brother, wife and their twin boys (5))had just flown in from northern China that previous week so we were going to have a great time. We had previously met her parents but this was the first time her brother and his family have ever been to the states so it was a real treat.

The beach was great it was a little cold but the kids did not care they spent alot of time in the hot tub. Maddie had so much fun with the boys. Their was a language difference but Lucy did alot of translating during the weekend. The dads stayed and watched the kids on Saturday and the girls went to the outlet malls and I will tell you my friends can shop I was exhausted we shopped literally till we dropped!!!!! Lot's of Christmas shopping was done.

The condo is fabulous it was 4/3 and a great kitchen. Steve resided as master chef and well some how the rest just fell into place. We had a great time of course it is never long enough.

We can't all wait to get together again. Her brother is her for 2 months and her mother is her for at least 6 months.

Finding Ads

What is in a finding ad? When we adopted Maddie we received a really really bad copy of her finding ad from CCAI. Actually it was so bad my girlfriend from China could not make anything out. Well I started doing research because I want as much of her past as I can get so we ordered her finding ad. A week after the crash I received this envelope with a picture, the original newspaper, negative of the picture, and a laminated blown-up copy of our baby girl. WOW is all could say. It was worth every penny. This is one for the life book. Now we are in the process of looking into having her history drawn up. Can't wait to her her story.

When we travel back to China this time we will be going to her city and her orphanage again. My aunt and uncle are coming with us we hope we have talked several time about it and they really want to go and they have been to China several times and they would be a great asset.

Birthday Surprises

I have the greatest husband and friends anyone could have. Yesterday was my birthday and Maddie had a fall festival at her school and we decided we would spend the evening together as a family at her event and eat there but my husband had another idea. Maddie had 2 hours of fun at the festival then we gave away our meal tickets and he took me to dinner. We were going to meet a few friends for dinner (well that is what I thought) when I got into the restaurant there were just several of our friends several I was not expecting (hum) by the end of the night there were 40+ people there. That would explain the big big cake he bought and boy was it good. Cake for breakfast I guess I will not be going on that diet anytime soon.

I am so blessed to have such great friends and family! Thanks for such a great week!

October Happenings

Not much posting for the last month mostly recuperating but I am back now! Our family did have a few events in October. Previously we had discussions about what kind of automobile to buy and I was not ready to convert to a minivan but several of my girlfriends said you will love one I still was never convinced. Now that my SUV was totaled I could look. Since I was on heavy meds I could not test drive so Steve did the driving and I picked the gadgets. We were having so much fun shopping for a new car both my girlfriend and I bought a minivan the same weekend. Needless to say I love it, we bought a Honda Odyssey and I think it is just like an SUV but lower and way more room and easier to get around. What do I know about cars! Now another dear friend is buying one we will be the mini van mom convoy.

Audrey had Homecoming and she asked if I would help her get ready (hair, make-up, dressed). I was thrilled, since I can't do hair at all I took her to a salon to have her hair done. Then all the girls met back at the home and got dressed. They all looked beautiful especially Audrey :) Well after the dance she wanted me to take her and her friends to Steak and Shake for food but she neglected to tell me the whole HS would be there but we had a great time till 1:00 a.m. I am truly getting to old for that especially getting up with Maddie at 7:00 am the next morning.

I am back to work but not full days yet I hope that will come soon I am swamped but I have a great boss and a great team that has been holding everything together for me.

Six Months Logged In

We have made it another month. 6 months of being logged in and it looks like referrals are going to make it into the month of December. We could not be happier for all the families waiting. Most of all to get out of the month of November.

To celebrate our milestone day it started out very normal work and then mid afternoon (2:00) I took Maddie to her ballet class and then we were going to my very dear friends birthday party at church we had planned for her. Steve was out of town this week so it has just been me and Maddie. Well after leaving ballet I decided to take a short cut to the store and that is when all the excitement started. We were T-boned in the drivers side by an F-250 diesel pick-up going about 45-50 MPH. I was pinned in the car and Maddie was in back seat on the opposite side she had a bleeding mouth which scared me because I could not reach her. She had just bitten her lip she was fine. Praise God!! Within minutes of watching this huge truck squish us people came from all directions to help. The nicest lady came and comforted Maddie and took her from the car and cared for her the whole time. I am still unable to move. Four men came and ripped the door off the truck and tried to get all the broken glass off my face until the paramedics got there.

Now Steve is out of town and I still can't get to Maddie. Beth my dearest friend is on her way but can't get through because all of the traffic and now they are taking me by ambulance to the hospital and my baby girl is still with this god sent lady in the middle of the road. By now I am crying and Steve knows about the accident and he has called friends and cop friends who are showing up everywhere and all around jumping in the ambulance and said do not worry Maddie she is safe. One of our friends took her home for the night. The techs said do you know all these people? I can't tell you how wonderful it is to see people so helpful and caring. Praise God nothing is Broken!!!! I am badly bruised and beaten I am having difficulty walking. Beth my dearest friend stayed with me and so many friends have come by the hospital and the house. The prayers have been wonderful. Steve saw the truck and he said I was lucky to be alive. Now on the road to recovery :) Maddie said she wants her mommy back!

Steve and I are so blessed with all the wonderful friends we have. Everyone is so thoughtful with there prayers, phone calls (I need my own secretay), food and care. Most of all I have the greatest husband a wife could have he is caring and has been the greatest through all of this and wears every hat there is.

Great Friends

We are so blessed and feel so fortunate with wonderful friends and secret pals (yahoo groups). Kinsey and Maddie have been showered with so many wonderful gifts. Also some of my girlfriends have so graciously given us clothes that their daughters have out grown for Kinsey the outfits, dresses, shoes and everything are wonderful I can't wait to use all this baby stuff. I am always day dreaming of what she will be like I get lost in thought over our little princess.

I have posted some pictures of just a few of the things they have received. Thanks everyone for your generosity and thoughtfulness.

Referral Time

Yes, it is that time again and it was another slow month with referral only going through 11/25. For the depressing part of referrals since we have been logged in 3/19/07 they have spent 5 months of that in November :(. For the bright side of referrals we are hoping that they will make it out of November in the next batch of referrals which will be in October. The CCAA has a holiday the first week of October so hoping for referrals to be sent prior to their extended leave for holiday. The past trend is that they mail referrals prior to leaving but as we have seen in the past year trends have changed drastically and nothing is predictable anymore.

Steve, Audrey, Maddie and myself are in this for the long haul and will wait as long as it takes God has the right baby for us and our family. I know alot of families have concern about their ages, time frames, and wanting multiple children. We pray for strength and patience for all the families in waiting.

This is my favorite time of the month Maddie and I get to look at all the referral photos together and read all the stories of the new babies and their families. Lots of journey's to follow.

Labor Day Weekend

What a nice 4 day weekend. My parents came into town to visit on their way up to Hilton Head. Maddie had fun visiting with Mesue and Papa. Audrey also got to come for the weekend it was one big happy family :). Lots of time for eating and relaxing, OH also add a little shopping in there. Steve especially enjoyed the relaxing and kicking back.

Steve and Maddie went to a party on Labor Day while Audrey and I hung out at the house doing girl stuff. Maddie is at a fun age for Steve they have such a fun time going off together and doing their own thing and this gives me a little break.

First day of School

Maddie starts preschool and Audrey starts high school. Maddie's first day was great she had a blast and could not wait to go back. Well the morning did not start off as good as the day finished. She was all prepared to go with her backpack and lunch box and out the door she went. When it was time for me to leave she wanted a kiss and a hug. After the 40th plus kiss and hug I had to cut her loose and you would have thought it was the END! It broke my heart I cried all the way back to the car and I called Steve just crying. Once I was out of sight it mommy who???
Audrey was so excited after coming home from her first day she was so proud of herself that she did not get lost:) She says the school is sooooo big. She is in a lot of honors classes so she will be pulling a tough load her freshman year. We are so proud of her! She is already looking forward to football season and going to the games with her friends.

Five Months

Another month has passed and referrals are still at a minimum. We have had a fantastic month. With the slow referrals the questions we have was do we have time for a adoption prior to our China adoption??? Well I called CCAI on Thursday and they said yes as long as we had the child home and papers filed 6 months prior to referral. YEAH :)) So let the praying begin within the next 30 days we should have so more information stay tuned.

I have not tuned in much to RQ lately due to very busy schedules but from what I have heard the next batch should not be a big referral batch probably not even out of the month of November :( Hold on tight if we ever get out of the month of November it should be a fun and wild ride.

End of Summer Splash

Yummy Popsicles!!!

To end the summer we decided to take Maddie, Abagail , Matthew and Audrey to the pool for one last day of fun in the sun before they all head off for a new year of school. The girls had a blast they started the weekend with Maddie's first sleepover away from home. She was so excited! Then it was fun in the sun. After the morning of swimming and sunbathing our teenager needed some school clothes so yes off to the mall. It was the last place I wanted to go the weekend before school started but we only get her once a month.

To end the perfect day Steve and I took Maddie and Audrey to serve dinner to the new students at FSU (Baptist Collegiate Ministry Program). We believe it is important for our girls to learn to serve in the Church and make a difference in peoples lives. Let be said that we choose to be a "blessing" for life.

What a great ending to a summer God, family,friends and fun!

Planning a Trip to Disney

We are planning on going to Disney during the Christmas celebration time. We are going with some friends and their 2 children it should be a blast Maddie and Abagail are all excited. I haven't been to Disney during Christmas time in many years. I remember the decorations and the parades were wonderful. I am just like a little kid when it comes to Disney. Our plan is to attend the Mickey Party one night. I am as excited as the girls Steve thinks I am crazy:)

I am not one for the heat so you would never catch me going to theme parks in the dead of summer so that leave out alot of months in Florida.

New Ventures

We have finally got the workings through to host/adopt/sponsor an international student through the Baptist Collegiate Ministry. This has been another one of my passions to do but have run into many obstacles. My goal was to host an International high school student this year but it was the school board and timing issues. My dearest girlfriend always reminds me that that is not what God's plan was for me this year (not last either:)). So finally we have what our plan is. We will get to meet our college student we hope next week when we finalize the plans.

Next, my girlfriend Angela and I are going to serve at church by teaching Sunday School 2 Sunday's a month, we are still not sure of the age group but I know it will be young children.

Also, this will be my first year working with the high school group at church and I am very excited to work on mission projects with older youth. I currently work with younger youth. This will also give me more time to spend with Audrey. We do love her so much and cherish all the time we get to spend with her.

This poses to be a very busy school year we are geared up for it.

Dentsit visit

Maddie had her first visit to the dentist today. I was kind of worried on how she would do. The morning started off great we had to be there at 8:15. She said mommy "I am a big girl I can go back by myself." OK! Well the time came and she told me I could go with her. Well long story short she jumped up in the chair put on the kids sunglasses and away they cleaned her teeth. She didn't move or make a sound. I was shocked. Tory the tech was great with her. She said she was Excellent. Don't you know she racked up in the prize department :) That's our girl.

Stone Mountain Meet and Greet

Off to Stone Mountain to meet our LID group Jan/Feb CCAI. We had a great time we spent 3 days up there and met up with our group on Saturday where we had an all day picnic in the park. Kelly was the coordinator and she did a fantastic job. The food was great and the location was beautiful. The kids had a good time playing and we had a time to get to know one another. The best part was putting a name with a face.

Kelly and Jen put together goody bags and Maddie's is in love with the chopsticks she eats everything with those sticks. We had such a great time we are planning another trip this Fall and hope to get together with Kelly, Mike and Jen's gang if they are available. Maddie loved Mike (he is going to be a great dad!). She still talks about her acorn nut. By the way we still have it she will not part with that nut or the rock she brought home. She collects everything :)

Referrals

Well the CCAA has sent another batch of referrals and it was what had been predicted 6 days. We are now through 11/21/2005. At this rate we will take 5-6 months to get through November. This is however a very large months in terms of LID's compared to other months per RQ.

We have been told by a CCAI that the wait should not go over 2 years, we are praying that is the case. If so and our referral will fit into my best guess estimate that I have projected. and we should travel in the same season as we did for Maddie Spring.

CCAA Reviews Another Month

Wow 21 days to complete the review for the month of June 2006. How exciting for all the June LIDer's knowing they are finally approved. At least it is another milestone in the process to celebrate. Both May and June have been through the review room very quickly. Could this be a good sign for the future or are these just smaller months? Only time will tell but a girl can dream and I am dreaming of a speed up in referrals next if we could just get through November 2005.

Now the big question is will referrals go through December as some of the rumors are pointing to or will they stay on the track of 7 days and go to 11/21. Stay tuned were praying for December but also being realistic.

Madeline's First Sleep Over

We debated what is the appropriate age for a sleep over. Maddie has been begging me for her friend Abagail to come spend the night (both 3) and I have been reluctant until Monday night. I decided I would tackle this like having my own two daughters. How much work could it really be (ha ha). First we went to Wal-Mart and bought all the good stuff to eat gummies, pretzels, popcorn, ice cream etc. When we were shopping I felt like I was buying for teenagers.
That afternoon the girls got together they were both so excited the could hardly stand it. Then let the fun begin. The girls were angels for 2 days they played and giggled they are like two peas in a pod.

The best part was night time when they would go to bed, they would lay in bed and talk and talk and talk (I could hear them on the monitor I just laughed). Finally, about 11:00 both nights I told them they must go to sleep or we could not get up for the next days play date at the park and library.

I called Steve and told him I am even more ready now for Kinsey.

Brown Evelope

YIPEE!!! I went to the mailbox today and to much surprise we had our brown envelope (US Consulate General Guangzhou). I am so thrilled I have been reading so many posts and blog where people have been getting there envelopes with LIDs after ours and I was beginning to think we were skipped. Well with everything else going on we needed some good news. Still no computer (Dell is dragging there feet) they claim I will be up and running this week. I hope I am so far behind on posts, reading

yahoo groups, blogs etc.....

July 4th

Happy Independence Day!!!!!

We had a nice family day together and an nontraditional 4th meal no cookouts for us this year. We were suppose to have a get together but well sometimes the best organized plans we find are very unorganized. Poor planing I guess. But both family's had a great day though. We went that evening to see the fireworks in our neighborhood over the lake and met some friends from our neighborhood down there and Maddie had a BLAST. She was all over the place with the kids. She is sooooo not shy. The best was the weather there was a slight breeze and no bugs.

The cute line for the night was she told someone next to us she was "American but also I am Chinese"

Madeline turns THREE!!!!!

Wow! Maddie went to bed on Thursday night and woke up the next morning and said I am a big girl now, "I am Three". She said to us "Look how much I have grown." I have never seen her so excited about anything as she was this year for her birthday. More than ever she wanted to get bigger. We had a birthday party for her a Chuck E Cheese it was only suppose to be for 1.5 hours but it lasted 4 plus hours. Yes, I had seen enough of the mouse. The kids had a great time. I came home and took a nap :) After the party was over she was already to plan her next party with all her friends and invite them into her castle. She does have the greatest imagination.

Audrey gets braces

We are all so excited Audrey received a scholarship for braces. She looks so cute, we joke with her that we can see her in the dark because she got neon green and pink bands. Maddie is envious and wants us to take her to get braces. We tell her she will have plenty of time to grow up. Audrey has grown up so much in the past past 2 years since we met her, she is no longer a little girl but now a beautiful young lady. She is such a blessing in our lives and Maddie just adores her (big sister).

3 Months

Another milestone has been reached. I cant believe it has been 3 months already. The time seems to be flying bye. I know I will not be saying this when we get close to referral but for now the time can keep chugging along. We are praying for a speed-up in the referral process the last few months has not set a good precedence for future referral predictions. I sure hope CCAA has something up their sleeve with the new policy coming out regarding more orphanages participating and guidelines for paper ready babies changing by province.

Father's Day

We had a nice relaxing day. We all went to church in the morning and came home and made a big brunch for Steve. The girls played video games most of the day while dad watched Nascar. Later that day Audrey decided she would take a dip in the pool fully clothed (she had a little help I pushed her.. hehe) Next Maddie went in fully clothed they had a blast swimming with their clothes on. Needless to say we did not want to take Audrey home. Maddie already missed her before we got out of the driveway.

Friends

Abagail and Maddie (my pirate smile)


I am the Queen

Dress up time! Maddie's friend Abagail spends as much time in dress-up clothes and tiaras as Maddie. Say Cheese :) It was not hard getting the two of them to pose together they love playing together. The hardest part is getting them out of the dresses to play outside and eat. We are trying to get Abagail and Maddie into the same ballet school.

Mesue and Papa

My parents came to visit for a few days and we a good time. Maddie clung to her Mesue they painted a craft together. Mom made her the most beautiful little desk. Swapped scrapping supplies and worked with the quilt. They gave Maddie and Kinsey 15 squishes she was very excited. Not much excitement, we took it easy, as I have been for the past several week. Lots of eating. Boy I need a diet. That little voice in my head from the latest doctor visits keeps saying you need to loose, you need to loose! Someone please shut that voice up.

The visit was cut shorter than we wanted it I had to fly to Miami Sunday, I was not up to it yet but off I went. Mom and dad dumped me at the airport and the fun (ha ha) was about to begin. As unprepared as I was I was off and I do mean unprepared I prepared for my presentation on the way and that night.

Meet a Ballerina

We went meet and great a ballerina that was part organized by local ballet schools and several moms with in our local TFWAC organization. All the girls had a blast. Yan Chen is from China and she came to the states (California)to study ballet when she was just a young teen. She loved it so much she knew she was going to come back she did not know how but she was. She has been here studying, dancing (world renown) and is now teaching in Orlando. She took questions from the girls and Maddie piped right up and asked her if she ever played "Cinderella" and she told her yes and Maddie just fell in love with her from that point on which lead into a discussion on her outfits she wore.

Besides signing autographs for each of the girls she also gave them a few pointers in dance. Everyone had a great time. Mom and dad were visiting and they could not believe her enthusiasm. Now they know why she runs around in ballet outfits all the time.

My first autograph I even got one for my baby sister!

These are a few pictures from our collection that shows how much Maddie has grown in the last two years since we received her referral picture which are the first 2. I love these photos most were taken by a close friend of the family, Cindy Strickland who is a professional photographer her in Tallahassee and she has taken fantastic pictures of Maddie. Actual we are due in a couple of weeks for our 3 year pictures. Where does the time go!

Memorial Day Weekend

Ben


Audrey, Maddie and myself went down to my parents in Sarasota for a 4 day weekend to see the latest addition to our family (baby Alyssa). We left on Thursday after Audrey's 8th grade graduation (we are so proud of her Maddie cheered for her big sis as she walked to get her certificate). Steve and I could not be more proud of her if she was our own daughter she is truly an exceptional child. Then the road trip began after we dropped off Steve it was a girls weekend.

We had family dinners, pool party and lots for good family time. I think all's we did was eat and chase kids. It is amazing just a few years ago there were no children and then KABOOM there are 6. Maddie is in love with her Uncle Rich (my younger brother) she can't stop talking about him. Everything is Uncle Rich and next is her baby lyssa. She asked me if we can get one of those babies. We laughed and said soon you will have a baby sister but not quite that small.

Alyssa is truly gorgeous thank the good Lord she looks like my sister.

New Job What a Blessing

A couple of weeks ago my boss came into my office and said they were giving me a raise. I thought GREAT! I could not wait to tell Steve. We have been working on total financial peace where we will be debt free prior to referral (except the house) and we are so on track and this was just one more blessing that God had bestowed upon us. Well it gets better. Then the big boss came to me about a job and and a few days later here I am with a new job and another raise. Unspoken prayer is answered. Everyday our financial goal becomes more and more obtainable. It gets better I do not have to change anything in my daily routine they will work around my schedule that I have currently and flexibility is what they are all about.

God does provide for all of our needs!

Forever Family Day 2008

Two years ago on this day Maddie was placed into our arms. This a memory that will never fade. I think of this day often. It is so hard to believe two years has gone by it just seems like yesterday. We celebrated the evening with Chinese food, games, a movies and our traditional bedtime story.

Over the past two years we have seen a unbelievable transformation of a baby to a beautiful little girl. She is full of energy and is always will to do what we have planned. She is really a true meaning of the red thread. She has thought both Steve and I so many things these two years. Of course we are bias but we believe she is the most beautiful daughter anyone could have both physically and emotionally. God has indeed blessed us.

Maddie has a new cousin

We are so excited and over joyed for my sister Denise and her family as they just had there 3rd child. Denise has always wanted to a mom since we were little girls. The Lord has blessed her with 3 beautiful children (Ben 4 1/2, Bradley 3). Alyssa's was born on 05/04/2007 @ 2:51 p.m.. She was a little thing she only weighted 6lbs 9oz and was 19 inches. She was born at Brandon Regional Hospital. We are all so glad she had a girl I was beginning to think Maddie was going to be the only girl. Madeline loves her :) She calls her lyssa. We can't wait to see her in person we are planning a trip very soon.

We are the proud big brothers

Ballerina

It's official!!! We now have a ballerina in the family. Maddie has wanted to be a ballerina since she turned "2" and her dream has come true. She dances all around the house on he toes it amazes me how the tops of her toes do not hurt. She will start classes in several weeks for the summer session and then full time in the fall. She is not as excited about the tap dancing because they wear pants (sometimes) and she has explained to me over and over again "mommy ballerina's DO NOT wear pants". This will be a challenge.

Since I have not been doing ANY shopping lately it has been lots of fun to look for shoes and ballerina clothes :)

May 1st

May 1st marks another day in history of IA for China. The big question is what is in store now for the waiting families as far as time lines. I have read and heard many different opinions regarding the staffing issues, shortage of babies, lack of orphanage participation and the list goes on. Only time will tell at this point. There are many advantages to a longer referral wait for us so Steve and I are quite content at this point with not receiving a referral until 2009 possibly 2010. Our hearts tell us we would love to see a referral of our daughter in 2008 but reality is what it is......

As far a future families the number of applications of IA's will drop drastically for 2 reasons the new rules implemented as of May 1st and the wait that families will face.

Secret Pal- April

What a great Secret Pal I have. We receive a big package of goodies in the mail. Maddie loves to open all the gifts and see what her baby sister is getting. These were all gifts we could use the stacking cups will come in very handy in China.

Celebrating a Month

We have been officially logged in 1 month today. WOW it seems like such a small milestone in the wait we have ahead of us. But one day at a time and one set of referrals at a time and we will be closer to our Kinsey. There are alot of people on our YAHOO groups that have the same log in date of 3/19. Hopefully we will be travelling with alot of them especially the CCAI group.

Kinsey you are in our thoughts and prayers daily !

Easter

What a beautiful Easter weekend. Audrey and Maddie had a great time together. It was all about Easter egg hunts and bunnies. First they went to an egg hunt on Saturday at our church and Maddie got to ride on the big slide, see a show and then off to the hunt. She thinks Easter is like Christmas and her birthday she had a list of things she wanted mainly Cinderella III and a pony. She was so excited for Sunday to hunt more eggs and see her little friend Abagail (she was adopted the same time as Maddie) at church. We had a street egg hunt that was a blast the kids hunted eggs for more than 30 minutes the moms all did a great job :) Maddie still asks where are are the eggs every time we go outside for playdates.

We are truly blessed !